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On Friday, Sept. 29, a truck carrying hazardous chemicals left
U.S. 40 in Effingham County and released anhydrous ammonia. Five
people, including three from the same family, a father and two
children, died from ammonia exposure and most of the town of
Teutopolis was evacuated.
Traffic, including the tanker, was pushed onto U.S. 40, which
bisects Teutopolis, earlier Friday because of another truck
crash on Interstate 70.
State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, said changes need to be
made to the construction zone on Interstate 70 so motorists
won't be intimidated to drive though it.
“They won’t take 70, they're scared because the roads are so
narrow. They’ve got one lane and if something happens you’re out
on your own and emergency response times are difficult for
folks,” Niemerg said.
Repeated requests to the Illinois Department of Transportation
to address the situation with the construction zone have been
unsuccessful, he said.
“I put out a statement Sunday calling for an action plan to
immediately remedy the situation and IDOT officials in
Springfield just say that I have baseless claims for this,”
Niemerg said.
Niemerg adds that many people have come up to him and said that
it was only a matter of time before a tragedy like this
happened.
Messages from The Center Square seeking comment from IDOT were
not returned.
Illinois State Police are continuing to look for the driver of
the vehicle that may have been involved in the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to
investigate the fatal crash.
“I want to thank all of the first responders and emergency
personnel who have stepped up to get this emergency under
control and my condolences to all of the families who have
suffered loss and injury from this tragic event,” said Niemerg.
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